System for improved access to liquid in a plastic container and lid assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a system for improved access to liquid In a plastic container and lid assembly, to reduce time in pouring and eliminate dried liquid in the rim of the plastic container caused by pouring liquid over the rim of the plastic container. The invention uses two liquid-tight seals formed between a pour spout wall on the lid and a sealing channel on a plastic cap. Special structures are provided on the cap and the pour spout wall to form the liquid-tight seals when the cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall.

STATEMENT REGARDING RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the full benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/701,199, entitled “Lid Comprising Pour Spout and Cap for Plastic Container for Fluid,” and filed on Jul. 20, 2018, and its contents are incorporated fully herein by reference. The present application also claims priority to and the full benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/753,882, entitled “Lid Comprising Pour Spout and Cap for Plastic Container for Fluid,” and filed on Oct. 31, 2018, and its contents are incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to plastic containers for liquids and, more particularly, to structures for pouring liquids from plastic containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a section view of an exemplary lid comprising the pour spout wall with the cap installed and sealed and the minor axis of one embodiment of a turning grip, shown along the line 1-1 drawn in FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1, with the pour spout wall and installed cap depicted, but the remainder of the lid embodiment is cutaway.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an exemplary lid comprising the pour spout wall with the cap installed and sealed and a major axis of one embodiment of a turning grip, shown along the line 3-3 drawn in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3, with the pour spout and installed cap depicted, but the remainder of the lid embodiment is cutaway.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an exemplary lid in one embodiment with a turning grip with the cap installed and sealed on the pour spout wall.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of an exemplary lid in an embodiment with a turning grip and pour spout wall and the cap.

FIG. 7A-7B are further enlarged views of a portion of exemplary FIGS. 1-4 depicting the liquid-tight contacts of the pour spout wall and the cap.

FIG. 7C depicts an embodiment different from that of FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the system for improved access to one embodiment of a plastic container and lid assembly comprising a container in the shape of a rectangular prism, a lid having a pour spout wall, and a cap without a turning grip and pour spout wall in an exploded view. The outer cap threads 14 are shown in dotted lines on the inside of the sealing channel 15. A handle 33 for the container is also depicted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cap with roughened texture comprising indentations on the exterior of the sealing channel.

FIG. 10 is a section view of a lid and a rim of a container, and the structure therein is identical to FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,383, which is also incorporated herein in its entirety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a removable lid 1 comprising a pour spout wall 3 and cap 2 for a plastic container 1A for liquids. The pour spout wall and cap improve liquid delivery versus the more prevalent way of pouring from a plastic container, i.e., by removing a lid from the entire container. Instead, the present invention allows liquid to be dispensed from the container with a more controlled pour such that liquid waste is reduced while dispensing the liquid. Furthermore, the present invention reduces the occurrence of or prevents paint from filling the U-shaped receiving channel 26A in the rim 26 when pouring paint over the rim after removing the entire lid, and so prevents paint from filling the receiving channel 26A of the rim where the liquid paint will then dry and make replacement of the lid more difficult. Thus the present invention produces a better long term fit for the lid 1 on the container 1A. That is, the present invention allows the receiving channel 26A of the rim 26 to remain free of paint, and insures a tighter and more secure replacement fit for the lid and rim after dispensing paint. The pour spout wall 3 and cap 2 also allow the addition of liquid, mixing of liquid, or dispensing of liquid from the container without requiring tools for lid or cap removal. Further, the cap, which is smaller than the lid, is easier and faster to remove and replace than the lid, and this aspect allows paint store employees to add tint to and mix paint faster than when removing and replacing a traditional lid into a receiving channel of a rim.

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-10. It should be noted that all terms as used herein are given their common meaning as known in the art and as further described and discussed hereafter. In this specification, and in the claims that follow, reference is made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings:

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the “inner” location or surface of components or structures is relative to the centerline of the container or center point of the lid. For instance, an inner surface or wall may be directed toward or face the centerline of the container or center point of the lid.

As used herein, the “outer” location or surface of components or structures is relative to the centerline of the container or center point of the lid. For instance, an outer surface or wall may be directed or face away from the centerline of the container or center point of the lid.

The invention comprises a removable lid for a plastic container for liquid, the lid comprising a pour spout and cap. The pour spout and cap may comprise a two point system such that the contacts created from the two point system provide a liquid-tight seal, as described in detail herein.

The present disclosure relates to a plastic container for loading, storing, transporting, and/or dispensing liquid. The liquid may be any liquid or material with liquid properties such that it may flow. In an exemplary case, the liquid may be paint. In an embodiment where the liquid is paint, the invention allows the tinting of paint without tools for lid or cap removal, such that the time involved in tinting is reduced. The container may be composed of plastic or any other suitable material and may be a cylindrical or rectangular prism, or any other shape suitable for the containment, storage, loading, transport, and/or dispensing of liquid.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 along the line 1-1 in FIGS. 5 and 6, the container is cylindrical, and the removable lid 1 is circular and comprises a cap 2 configured to be installed on and sealed to a pour spout wall 3. In one embodiment, the cap 2 may comprise a turning grip 6, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The turning grip 6 may comprise any shape such that a user may grip the turning grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto or off of the pour spout wall 3. The turning grip 6 may comprise in cross section a major axis and a minor axis as shown in FIGS. 1-6. The turning grip 6 may either be elevated above the cap surface 5 or in another embodiment may be an indentation (not depicted) in the cap surface 5. FIG. 1 displays a cross section of an embodiment of a lid 1 in which a minor axis of a turning grip 6 is shown, the turning grip being elevated above the cap surface 5. FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the pour spout wall 3 and cap 2 displayed in the embodiment in FIG. 1. The turning grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9, either rising from the cap surface 5 as in FIG. 1, or as an indentation. Although the above provides examples of a turning grip 6, no turning grip 6 is required, as shown in FIGS. 8-9.

The cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5 which, in one embodiment, may be planar and parallel to the lid 1 and to the bottom of the container when the cap 2 is sealed on the pour spout wall of the lid 1. Additionally, in other embodiments the cap surface 5 need not be planar. In one embodiment, the cap surface 5 may be recessed downwardly from a highest point of the turning grip 6 and integral with a bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9.

In different embodiments, the lid 1 may be in the shape of a circle, a rectangle, or any shape such that it may cover the open area at the top of the container. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid 1 is in the shape of a circle. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and sometimes a second lid surface 8, one of which is integral to the lower end 23 of a pour spout wall 3. The lid 1 may comprise, in additional embodiments, a second lid surface 8 integral to the lid surface 7 and the lower end 23 of the pour spout wall 3. The pour spout wall 3 defines an opening in the shape of a circle. In one embodiment, a first protrusion 16 projects from an inner surface at or near the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall 3. In another embodiment, an upper channel 4 is located on the perimeter of the lid 1. An upper channel 4 is integral to the lid surface 7 which, in one embodiment, extends from the upper channel 4 inwardly to the second lid surface 8, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, or which may extend from the upper channel 4 inwardly to the pour spout wall 3 in additional embodiments (not shown). In an embodiment without the second lid surface 8, the lid surface 7 is integral on one side with the upper channel 4 and on the other side with lower end of the pour spout wall 3.

In embodiments in which the container is cylindrical, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 1 is circular and comprises a cap 2 configured to be engaged on and sealed to a pour spout wall 3. FIG. 3 is a section view at line 3-3 in FIG. 5. The cap 2 is in the shape of a circle. The cap 2 may comprise a turning grip 6, as shown in the exemplary embodiment. The turning grip 6 may comprise any shape such that a user may grip the turning grip 6 and screw the cap 2 onto or off of the pour spout wall 3. The turning grip 6 may comprise a major axis and a minor axis as shown in FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 3 depicts a cross section of an embodiment of the lid 1 along a major axis of a turning grip 6 along line 3-3 in FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the pour spout wall and cap 2 displayed in the embodiment in FIG. 3. The turning grip 6 may comprise at least one vertical wall 9 raised above the cap surface 5, as in FIGS. 1-6, or the vertical wall may extend below the cap surface 5, when the turning grip is in the embodiment of an indentation. Other embodiments need not have a turning grip 6. In one embodiment, roughened texture 25 on the outer perimeter of the sealing channel provides extra gripping in addition to or in lieu of a turning grip, as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in this figure, the roughened texture may constitute indentations or may be, in other embodiments, bumps, upper channels, striations or any other means for increasing friction between the user's hand and the perimeter of the cap 2

The cap 2 comprises a cap surface 5 that may be parallel to the lid 1 and to the bottom of the container when the cap 2 is sealed on the pour spout wall 23 of the lid 1. The cap surface 5 may be recessed downwardly from a highest point of the turning grip 6 and be integral with a bottom of the at least one vertical wall 9. The cap surface may be substantially planar in one embodiment but need not be planar in all embodiments.

In different embodiments, the lid 1 may be in the shape of a circle, a rectangle, or any shape such that it may cover a cross sectional opening of the container 1A which may be cylindrical, a rectangular prism or any other suitable shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which is a section view along line 3-3 in FIG. 5, the lid 1 is in the shape of a circle. The lid 1 comprises a lid surface 7 and, in this embodiment, a second lid surface 8 that is integral to the lower end of the pour spout wall 3. The pour spout wall 3 defines an opening in the shape of a circle. In one embodiment, a first protrusion 16 projects at or near the bottom 24 of an inner surface of the pour spout wall 3. The upper channel 4 is located near the perimeter of the lid 1. The upper channel 4 is integral to the lid surface 7, which may extend from the upper channel 4 inwardly to the second lid surface 8, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 3. In another embodiment without a second lid surface 8, the lid surface 7 extends from the upper channel 4 inwardly to the pour spout wall 3 (not shown). FIG. 4 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 3.

In an embodiment of a circular lid 1 shown in FIG. 5, a top view of the lid 1 on a cylindrical container depicts cross section 1-1 corresponding to FIG. 1 and cross section 3-3 corresponding to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, cross section 1-1 depicts the minor axis of a turning grip 6, and cross section 3-3 depicts the major axis of turning grip 6. The cap 2 in FIG. 5 is installed by being screwed onto the pour spout wall 3 and in this embodiment both the cap 2 and the pour spout wall 3 are positioned off center relative to a center point of the lid 1. The cap 2 and pour spout wall 3 may be positioned in any location on the lid, for example, nearer the perimeter of the lid 1, nearer the center point of the lid 1, or centered on the center point of the lid 1. The cap 2 and pour spout wall 3 may comprise dimensions ranging from slightly smaller than the dimensions of the lid 1 to about one quarter of the dimensions of the lid 1.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a circular lid 1 is depicted with an exploded view of the cap 2. In this embodiment, the cap 2 comprises outer cap threads 14 and the pour spout wall 3 comprises inner cap threads 13. The inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 are configured complementarily so that the outer cap threads 14 on the cap may screw on or off inner cap threads 13 on the pour spout wall 3. The inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 may each comprise any complementary shape such that the outer cap threads 14 lock into a position tightly adjacent to the inner cap threads 13. In one embodiment, the inner and outer cap threads 13, 14 are each in a shape in cross section of an irregular pyramid. The contact between the inner and outer cap threads, when the cap is screwed on, secures the cap to the pour spout wall.

One embodiment of a lid 1 as circular is depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and these are enlargements of the locking mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 7A depicts a cap in a pre-installed position with the first protrusion in an uncompressed state. FIG. 7B depicts a cap in an installed and sealed position with the first protrusion in a compressed state, and the two liquid-tight seals resulting from installation of the cap on the pour spout wall, as shown within circles 21 and 22. The embodiment of FIG. 7A (uninstalled) is identical to that of FIG. 7B (installed). In FIG. 7B, the cap 2 and pour spout wall 3, in the installed position of the cap, comprise a two point system for creating liquid-tight contacts 21, 22 between the pour spout wall 3 and the cap 2 to provide a liquid-tight seal, as described in detail below, and shown in the two areas 21, 22 circled in FIG. 7B. The cap 2 comprises a sealing channel 15 on the perimeter of the cap 2. The sealing channel 15 comprises an inner wall 10 integral near its lower end with the perimeter of the cap surface 5, an outer wall 12 with outer cap threads 14 projecting into the space 26 defined by the sealing channel 15, and an upper wall 11 connecting a top of the inner wall 10 with a top of the outer wall 12. The upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 slopes outwardly to enable the sealing channel to wedge against the upper portion 20 and the joinder 19 of the pour spout wall 3. In one embodiment, the top 18 of the pour spout wall 3 is integral to a joinder 19 also integral to the upper portion of the pour spout wall. In the embodiments depicted, the joinder 19 is rounded, but it can be of any shape which complements the structure on the corresponding location of the sealing channel 15. The shape of the sealing channel 15 may be U-shaped with rounded corners or any other shape such that the outer cap threads 14 may project into and be contained within the sealing channel 15 and such that an inner wall 10, at or near its lower end, joins the perimeter of the cap surface 5. On the pour spout wall 3 of the lid 1, the inner cap threads 13 project from the outer surface of the pour spout wall 3.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the diameter from the middle portion of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the pour spout wall 3, although the topmost portion of the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may have the same diameter as that of the pour spout wall. In this embodiment, the pour spout wall 3 and the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 are nested against one another and, in this position, the outer cap threads 14 lock into a position below the inner cap threads 13 within the sealing channel 15. In another embodiment the inner cap threads can be below the outer cap threads. The locking of the outer cap threads 14 and the inner cap threads 13 lock the sealing channel 15 into place over the pour spout wall 3. The first protrusion 16 is compressed by the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10, such that a liquid-tight seal is formed between the cap 2 and the pour spout wall 3 in area 22, as circled on FIG. 7B. Positioning the perimeter of the cap surface 5 at or near the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 provides substantial force against the inner wall 10 to hold the sealing channel 15 in place against the first protrusion 16 of the pour spout wall 3. The cap 2 is configured to be screwed onto the pour spout wall 3 to form the liquid-tight seals 21, 22 and also to be screwed off the pour spout wall 3 to remove the cap 2.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the pour spout wall 3 and cap 2 together comprise two contacts to provide a liquid-tight seal by bring complementary structures against one another. One liquid-tight contact in area 21 comprises contact between the top 18 of the pour spout wall and the upper wall 11 of the sealing channel 15 and also between the upper portion 20 of the pour spout wall 3 and the upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15, and also against the joinder 19 where the inner wall 10 and upper wall 11 join inside the sealing channel 15. Another liquid-tight area of contact 22 comprises the contact between the first protrusion 16 and the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 which compresses the first protrusion 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1—herein, the first protrusion 16 projects from the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall at an approximate 90° angle and is approximately rectangular in cross section, but the protrusion may comprise other suitable shapes, angles, and configurations.

FIG. 7C depicts another embodiment of the invention in the installed position with the liquid-tight contact circled in area 22A as distinguished from the liquid-tight contact depicted in area 22 in FIG. 7B. In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, the contact is generated by the first protrusion 16 from the pour spout wall 3 and also by a second protrusion 16A from the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, first protrusion 16 may be somewhat smaller than the first protrusion 16 in the embodiment in FIG. 7, because in FIG. 7C the second protrusion 16A meets the first protrusion 16. Thus, the meeting of the first and second protrusions 16, 16A in FIG. 7C work together to bridge the gap between the pour spout wall 3 and the inner wall of the sealing channel. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and 7A and 7B. only the first protrusion 16 is required.

The shapes and positions of the first and/or second protrusions are not limited to those depicted in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. A liquid-tight contact is possible by any combination of shapes in the locations of 16, 16A and 16B which form a liquid tight contact between the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall 3 and the lower end 27 of inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15. For example, moving the first protrusion 16 from the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall (as in FIGS. 7A-7B) to the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel will also allow a liquid-tight contact, even without adding a second protrusion. The first protrusion 16 can be positioned at the lower end 27 of the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel 15 and be compressed by the bottom 24 of the pour spout wall 3. In the latter embodiment, the plastic material of the invention is flexible enough to bend sufficiently as the sealing channel 15 is pressed down onto the pour spout wall 3, and the inner wall 10 slides down against the pour spout wall. Also in the latter embodiment, the first protrusion as positioned on the inner wall 10 would press tightly against the pour spout wall 3. In other embodiments, the protrusions may be positioned higher on the pour spout wall 3 and the inner wall 10 of the sealing channel. Additionally, the angle and length of the sloped upper portion 17 of the inner wall 10 may be configured to allow the first protrusion on the inner wall 10 to slide down against the pour spout wall 3. The slope of upper portion 17 allows the inner wall to wedge itself against the pour spout wall's upper portion 20, as shown in circled area 21.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the system for improved access to one embodiment of a plastic container 1A and lid 1 assembly comprising the container 1A, a lid 1 comprising a pour spout wall 3, and a cap 2 in an installed position. In an embodiment as in FIG. 8, the container is a rectangular prism, the lid 1 is a rectangle, and the cap 2 has no turning grip 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cap 2 showing roughened texture 25 on the outer perimeter of the sealing channel 15. In this embodiment, the roughened texture is in the form of indentations, but the roughened texture may be of any character to increase friction between a user's fingers and the cap.

FIG. 10 contains cross sections of an exemplary upper channel 4 of a lid and a rim 26 and its U-shaped receiving channel 26A. The means for attachment of the rim to a sidewall of the container is shown in 26B. 

We claim:
 1. A system for improved access to liquid in a plastic container and lid assembly comprising a. a plastic container comprising a bottom, at least one sidewall and a rim comprising a receiving channel, b. a plastic lid comprising an upper channel for seating in the receiving channel, a lid surface and a pour spout wall integral to a bottom defining an opening in the lid surface, said pour spout wall comprising inner cap threads on a first side opposite the opening and on a second side a first protrusion located near the bottom, c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, said sealing channel comprising an inner wall comprising a sloped upper portion and an outer wall, said inner wall near a lower end integral to a perimeter of the cap surface and said outer wall comprising outer cap threads configured to lock with the inner cap threads, such that, when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall, the inner and outer cap threads lock, the sealing channel and the pour spout wall join at a first location adjacent to the sloped upper portion of the inner wall and, at a second location, the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall, and two liquid-tight seals are formed between the cap and the pour spout wall.
 2. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a second protrusion located on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals.
 3. The system as in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the inner wall of the sealing channel is slightly smaller than a diameter of the pour spout wall.
 4. The system as in claim 1 wherein the cap surface presses against the inner wall to hold the sealing channel in place when the plastic cap is sealed to the pour spout wall.
 5. The system as in claim 1, wherein the plastic cap further comprises a turning grip on the cap surface.
 6. The system as in claim 5, wherein the turning grip comprises a major axis and a minor axis.
 7. The system as in claim 5, wherein the turning grip rises from the cap surface.
 8. The system as in claim 5 wherein the turning grip is an indentation in the cap surface.
 9. A plastic lid for a plastic container for liquid comprising a. a lid surface and an upper channel at a perimeter for seating into a rim of a container, b. a pour spout wall integral to a bottom defining an opening in the lid surface, said pour spout wall comprising inner cap threads on a first side opposite the opening and on a second side a first protrusion located near the base, and c. a plastic cap comprising a cap surface and a sealing channel, said sealing channel comprising an inner wall comprising a slope and an outer wall, said inner wall near a lower end integral to a perimeter of the cap surface and said outer wall comprising outer cap threads configured to lock with the inner cap threads such that, when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall, the inner and outer cap threads lock, the sealing channel and the pour spout wall join at a first location adjacent to the sloped upper portion of the inner wall and, at a second location, the first protrusion is compressed by the lower end of the inner wall, and two liquid-tight seals are formed between the cap and the pour spout wall.
 10. The system as in claim 9, further comprising a second protrusion located on the inner wall of the sealing channel, such that when the plastic cap is screwed onto the pour spout wall the first and second protrusions join to create one of the two liquid-tight seals.
 11. The system as in claim 9, wherein the plastic cap further comprises a turning grip on the cap surface.
 12. The system as in claim 9, wherein the turning grip comprises a major axis and a minor axis.
 13. The system as in claim 9, wherein the turning grip rises from the cap surface.
 14. The system as in claim 9 wherein the turning grip comprises an indentation in the cap surface. 